The new solid rocket booster P120C successfully completed its second firing test on 28 January 2019.

This motor is a new European development. It will be strapped onto the sides of the future Ariane 6 launch vehicle as boosters for liftoff, and will also be used as the main stage for Vega-C.

After it was fully loaded with 142 tonnes of fuel, the 13.5 m long and 3.4 m diameter motor was ignited to simulate liftoff and the first phase of the flight. The motor burned for 135 seconds and delivered a maximum thrust of about 4650 kN . The test was conducted at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, and was completed with no anomalies.